For the ninth time this season, Maidstone United were held to a draw as they shared the points with St Albans City.

It was the Stones who had the first opportunity. Aaron Blair found Bivesh Gurung whose shot was blocked and Matt Bentley reacted to win a corner for Maidstone.

Sam Corne then found Blair who turned into space and he drew a good save from Michael Johnson but Maidstone’s pressure paid off when the Stones took the lead on 21 minutes. A fine ball in from Ben Brookes reached Antony Papadopoulos who fired in his third goal in as many games.

The Stones came within a whisker of extending their lead three minutes later. Blair put an inviting low ball into the six yard box and Greg Cundle’s deft touch looked certain to be going in but Johnson’s point blank save diverted the ball over the bar.

Johnson had to come quickly off his line to deny Blair and on 33 minutes, the Maidstone striker once again burst through the St Albans defence. Blair did well to win the ball following a quick clearance from Alexis Andre Jr and he ran into the box pursued by James Sweet but under pressure, he was forced wide and Blair poked the ball behind.

St Albans only decent chance of the half came four minutes before the break. Lewis Miccio’s free-kick into the box fell nicely to Zane Banton and from a good position he slashed the ball over the bar.

In first half stoppage time, Corne played the ball into Bentley. Bentley tried to curl the ball past Johnson and his resultant weak shot was easily stopped.

St Albans started the second half strongly. Miccio got the ball into Banton whose fierce effort flew inches wide of the left post. Then Ken Charles got into a shooting position but couldn’t beat Andre Jr. And moments later, Shaun Jeffers robbed George Fowler and ran towards the box but his early shot was easily stopped by Andre Jr.

Matt Lench then saw his effort saved before the visits finally equalised. A terrific cross from the right from Gio Rasulo was perfectly headed home by Charles.

The Stones tried to respond quickly and they thought they had gone back in front on 77 minutes. George Fowler’s deep cross into the box fell to substitute Matt Rush who forced the ball into the net but it was ruled out for an apparent handball.

Five minutes later and Maidstone had another goal ruled out. Charlie Seaman’s long throw was headed down by Reece Greenidge. It came back to the Maidstone substitute whose shot appeared to hit the wheel at the back of the goal and therefore go out of play before Rush forced the ball in from close range. With St Albans incensed, the referee, Lisa Benn, consulted the assistant referee and the goal was chalked off, much to the anger of Maidstone United who had celebrated scoring.

Maidstone United: Antony Papadopoulos 21

St Albans City: Ken Charles 72

Maidstone United:1. Alexis Andre Jr, 11. Charlie Seaman, 2. Temi Eweka, 5. George Fowler, 3. Ben Brookes (4. Reiss Greenidge 74), 8. Sam Corne, 18. Bivesh Gurung (17. Riley Court 89), 6. Antony Papadopoulos, 16. Matt Bentley (19. Matt Rush 54), 12. Greg Cundle (15. Sol Wanju-Smith 66), 9. Aaron Blair. Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden.

St Albans City: 24. Michael Johnson, 28. James Sweet, 6. David Longe-King, 22. Joe Partington, 3. Lewis Miccio, 14. Josh Partington (8. Alfie Payne 82), 20. Gio Rasulo, 23. Matt Lench, 11. Zane Banton, 7. Ken Charles, 9. Shaun Jeffers. Subs not used: 10. Romeo Akinola, 12 Fin Wilkinson, 17. Iffy Allen, 31. Phillip Chinedu.